The Literacy, Language, and Technology Research group (LLTR) at Portland State University and the EdTech Center @ World Education were funded to conduct a multi-phased study that will identify the factors that motivate frontline service workers to engage in learning activities that support development of workplace skills and adult basic skills.
This research responds to the need for employers, educators, and policy makers to better understand the characteristics of learning opportunities currently available to frontline service workers and how to best engage these workers in the development of digital problem solving necessary to succeed in the 21st Century workplace. Central to this study is elevating the voice of the worker-learner. An advisory group of frontline service workers will consult with researchers to shape the data collection and support interpretation of findings. A unique feature of the study is frequent and regular communication about process and findings published in a blog called The 21C LENS (Learning Ecosystem News).
The defining characteristics of our approach ensure that research remains relevant to stakeholders and, therefore, will make it possible for us to describe both the effective affordances and the barriers to learning that working learners face. With this work, will strive to impact instructional strategies and the policies that shape their implementation.
